Posts Tagged ‘Recall’

ORLANDO, Fla., (May 19, 2015) – “AAA supports the over-due announcement that Takata has agreed to a national recall of driver and passenger side air bag inflators. Since late last year AAA has fully supported NHTSA’s call for a national recall of affected Takata air bags beyond the limited high-humidity areas where a recall has focused until today.”

“Given the historic nature of this recall in size and reach, it is important for Congress to reinforce NHTSA’s authority to act swiftly to compel a nationwide recall when appropriate and expand the agency’s authority to levy more significant penalties on those who refuse to comply.”

“With the summer season approaching, we are reminded that 33 million Americans will be hitting the roads in their vehicles for Memorial Day travel and as time passes more motorists remain at risk from the faulty air bags that have been linked to at least 6 deaths. Motorists’ safety is a national issue that is not confined by regional boundaries and should take precedence over profits. ”

“As an advocate for motorists, AAA believes this recall is a step in the right direction to ensure motorist safety on America’s roadways. Vehicles are increasingly bought and sold across state lines and may move long distances across the country so AAA believes that it is in the best interest of consumers to expand this recall to all states.”

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 55 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

ORLANDO, Fla., (November 20, 2014) – “AAA supports NHTSA’s action to call for a full national recall of affected Takata airbags. Vehicles are often bought and sold across state lines so it is in the best interest of consumers to expand this recall to all states. Testimony from today’s hearing before the Senate Commerce Committee further underscored that the grave danger from these defective airbags is a national safety priority and should be treated as such. Motorists’ safety is a national issue that is not confined by regional boundaries. Takata’s handling of this investigation and recall is unacceptable and demonstrates their failure to fully understand, address and communicate the scope of the airbag deficiencies as soon as the problem was identified.”

“The tremendous number of vehicle recalls issued to date this year is understandably alarming to motorists and must lead to systematic changes to the way that regulators and manufacturers protect the safety of motorists. AAA fully supports legislative proposals that call for reforms to strengthen the recall process, increase penalties for inaction by manufacturers, and clarify additional NHTSA oversight responsibilities. Accountability, transparency and full and timely disclosure of any potential safety defect is not negotiable when it comes to motorist safety.”

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 54 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

WASHINGTON (Nov. 19, 2014) — “AAA applauds the nomination of Mark Rosekind to be the next NHSTA administrator. Mr. Rosekind’s experience with and commitment to motorist safety will be a tremendous asset to an agency that faces important questions about breakdowns in the recall process and is tasked with overseeing the emergence of vehicle safety technologies. AAA urges Congress to act swiftly to approve this nomination and fill the administrator position that has been vacant for far too long.”

Washington, D.C., (September 16, 2014) – AAA released the following statement in response to today’s Senate Commerce Committee hearing that focused on the vehicle safety recall process and the committee’s broader oversight of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

“There is plenty of blame to go around with both failures by automakers and missteps by regulators at NHTSA which failed to protect the public as evidence mounted of potential dangers in many GM vehicles,” said AAA Chief Operating Officer Marshall L. Doney. “The time for finger pointing has passed, and now we must focus on ensuring that a problem of this magnitude never again threatens road safety.”

“Congress has for too long failed to fund NHTSA’s investigation department and the agency desperately needs those resources to fulfill its public mission,” continued Doney. “New funding for NHTSA must be tied to necessary reforms that ensure that tax dollars are spent on conducting effective investigations that identify critical safety defects before lives are lost.”

“NHTSA’s fines on automakers must fit the severity of violations that threaten road users, and AAA supports raising the limit on these fines immediately from $35 million to $300 million,” continued Doney. “Efforts by automakers to oppose this increase are disappointing and yet again puts profits before safety.”

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 54 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

ORLANDO, Fla., (June 25, 2014) – “Yesterday’s letter to the Federal Trade Commission by 11 consumer groups requesting the agency investigate CarMax’s advertising claims underscores the dangers of unrepaired recall vehicles on America’s roadways. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates the average recall completion rate in the US is only about 75 percent – meaning one in four recalled vehicles are never fixed.

“AAA believes that consumers should have a reasonable expectation that the vehicle they drive off the lot — whether it is from a new or used car dealer — is free of unresolved recalls. CarMax asserting that all vehicles they sell have been rigorously inspected and are “CarMax Quality Certified” but not repairing known safety recall issues puts motorists at risk and could have deadly consequences. With the safety of AAA’s 54 million members and all U.S. motorists in mind, AAA supports requiring that new and used car dealers carry out recall repairs on any vehicle they sell.”

ORLANDO, Fla., (June 20, 2014) –“General Motors’ steps to change its corporate culture and take responsibility for failing their customers are essential. However, with more than 20 million vehicles recalled this year, General Motors (GM) CEO Mary Barra’s congressional testimony related to the status of recall repairs was very disturbing. Millions of motorists remain at risk, yet GM has only shipped 400,000 parts for recalled vehicles. GM must take steps to ensure the millions of motorists who own unsafe vehicles understand the severity of the issue and the need to have their vehicle fixed. The volume of recent recalls may result in a “so-what” attitude among many consumers who have not experienced problems with their vehicle.

With only 4,300 GM dealers in the U.S. tasked with making millions of warranty repairs, these critical safety repairs could be significantly backlogged. With an issue like this, days delayed can equal lives lost. Independent repair shops number in excess of 80,000 in the U.S. and many consumers already turn to them to assist with vehicle maintenance and repair needs. GM could look to work with the independent repair network for some of the simpler recalls, thus allowing GM dealers to focus on the more critical recall work.”

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 54 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since it’s founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

ORLANDO, Fla., (June 5, 2014) – “The complete Valukas report examining General Motors’ failures related to its ignition switch recall describes at least 11 instances in which GM was negligent in addressing the issue, and documents consistent patterns of misconduct and poor judgment by GM employees that put consumers unknowingly at risk for more than a decade.

The company had repeated opportunities to take appropriate measures to remedy the problem, but did not act. On at least two occasions, GM refused to accept the findings of outside investigations, including those of a trooper with the Wisconsin state police and the Indiana University Transportation Research Center. In addition, undocumented changes to the defective switch made ultimate identification of the issue all the more difficult.

AAA is encouraged by the announcement that General Motors accepts responsibility for the deadly delayed recall, and GM’s promise to aggressively address future safety issues. However, the report also reveals a corporate culture that placed business interests above the safety of consumers. A systemic reluctance to raise and react to critical safety concerns at GM reflects an ingrained culture that could require years to fully eradicate.

While the Valukas report provides valuable insight into the root causes of GM’s delayed ignition switch recalls, the report itself will not bring about change. AAA believes that GM’s promise of reform should be supplemented with greater federal oversight of the recall system.”

As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 54 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

“AAA acknowledges the step taken by General Motors (GM) today to recall 2.42 million more U.S. vehicles with safety failures that could put motorists in harm’s way. However, today’s action also highlights the disturbing number of potential hazards to drivers behind the wheel that have come to light this year. It is distressing to note that GM has so far recalled close to 15 million vehicles in 2014, which is nearly equal to the total vehicles (15.6 M) all manufacturers sold in the U.S.in 2013 alone. AAA believes last week’s $35 million fine assessed to GM for delays in taking action with ignition interlocks that have been attributed to the deaths of 13 motorists does not send a strong enough message. GM and other automakers need to clearly understand that risking consumer lives is unacceptable and the costs for doing so must be appropriately severe. AAA supports the proposal to increase the maximum fine NHTSA can impose from $35 million to $300 million.”

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This is the official newsroom of AAA, a not-for-profit organization that provides its members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive services and information. Since its founding in 1902, AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers.